U.S. Hopes for U.N. "Understanding" if War Is Necessary Against Iraq

usinfo.state.gov 05 March 2003 (Powell interview with CNBC March 4) (2760)

Secretary of State Colin Powell says he hopes that, in the event that military force is needed to disarm Iraq, the United Nations will pass a resolution expressing its "understanding" for the necessity of such a course of action.

"[We] are going to deal with Saddam Hussein. We'll deal with him peacefully through the United Nations, and if conflict does become necessary, I hope the United Nations will understand that and pass a resolution that will express that understanding," Powell said in an interview with the CNBC television channel March 4.

Powell said that, while time is running out, war can still be avoided if Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein demonstrates that he is totally committed to complying with U.N. resolutions that he eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Powell added it would be good for the Iraqi people if Saddam Hussein stepped down.

Powell said that longer inspections and more inspectors would not solve the problem. The inspectors are in Iraq "to verify that he is complying with the resolution and not to be detectives running all over the countryside looking for prohibited materials," he said.

Commenting on the problem of North Korea's nuclear program, Powell said the United States is sending the message to North Korea through various channels that it would not be wise to start uranium reprocessing while the search for a political solution to the problem is under way.

Powell said the United States wants to deal with North Korea through a multilateral forum that would involve all the countries affected by North Korea's nuclear program.

Following is the transcript of Powell's interview with CNBC:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman

March 4, 2003

INTERVIEW

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell By Alan Murray and Gloria Borger CNBC's Capital Report Washington, D.C.

(As aired at 9 p.m. EST)................